I'm a Poly
DVC owner, but I'm interested in paying out of pocket for visit to HHI. Love reading the reviews here - it sounds magical.
It
is magical. My favorite thing about the resort is the cadre of CMs who work there--they make the experience special with what many feel is the way Disney used to be able to treat everyone before the explosion of ticket prices, understaffing of CMs, and general erosion of the "Disney experience" at the parks. The fact that there is a band of dedicated employees who want to make your stay memorable comes because HHI is such a small, intimate resort--you can walk from the main Lodge to building 31 at the far end of the resort in 7-8 minutes at a moderate pace. The entire trip is so much more laid back--low country vibe--that people wind up realizing they've actually recharged their minds and souls instead of being run ragged.
1. Parks, Part 1: None. Instead of constantly being on your phone for mobile ordering, LLs, et. al., you might need it to text your kids to come to the pool. . .or not.
2. Food, Part 1: No ADRs to make. Sure, you can make reservations at some places to ensure you get in, but many don't take them, so you go with the flow. Don't want to wait at Skull Creek Boathouse? Fine, jump over to Poseidon which is near the resort.
3. Food, Part 2: Tired of hoping the food quality matches the price you pay for Disney dining? No worries. Over 300 restaurants on the island (and in Bluffton), most of which have good to great food at prices well below Disney. And so much to choose from: seafood, steaks, Italian, Greek, Asian, BBQ, bakeries, and the list goes on and on.
4. Food, Part 3: Don't feel like going out? Go to a local fresh seafood market or hop down to Kroger's (15-minute walk or 5-minute drive) and get your own favorites. Take them back to the room and cook them there, or grill on one of the several gas grills (they also have charcoal grills though you have to provide the charcoal) on property--a CM will even bring you grilling utensils since they aren't kept in the kitchens there.
5. Parks, Part 2: No parks, but there is the ocean. . .and a near pristine beach. . .and the resort's Beach House with another pool and a QS. . .which has a private gate to the beach (the beach isn't private, though). There are also adventures to be had beyond the beach such as hanging out at the pools, kayaking through Outside Hilton Head (they're located in Shelter Cove), shopping (Tanger Outlet Malls 1 and 2 are in Bluffton), biking all over the island, tennis and golf nearby, nature preserves, mini-golf, etc.
6. Relaxation: Play yard games at the resort: shuffleboard, corn hole, giant checkers, bocce ball, basketball, horseshoes, and putting green. Fish or crab from the pier. Campfire and s'mores usually a couple of times a week. Or, do nothing. Sit on your balcony and sip your favorite beverages and watch nature or people.
7. Unwind: Feel the stress melt away. No parks to invade, no huge crowds of people to deal with (though it can feel crowded during the height of the summer season), no overpaying for Disney stuff and food (unless you buy something from the gift shop, lol).
In short, vacations to HHI are more like what I remember as a kid--spending quality time with my parents and siblings and enjoying the memories WE created together, not what the Disney parks attempt to do. The parks have their place certainly. But, the most relaxing place to get a little Disney is HHI.
